Quick Facts

Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC)

AME BC is the predominant voice of mineral exploration and development in British Columbia. Established in 1912, AME BC now represents close to 5,000 members including junior and major companies, geoscientists, prospectors, engineers, entrepreneurs, suppliers, mineral producers and associations who are engaged in mineral exploration and mine development in BC and throughout the world.

Mineral Exploration and Development Are Important to BC

  • The safe, modern mineral exploration and mining sector employs 28,000 people in more than 50 BC communities. In addition, there are several thousand additional jobs in the service sector that rely on exploration and the mining industry.
  • Companies spent $463 million on exploration projects in BC in 2011, up from $322 million in 2010 and $154 million in 2009.
  • The mining industry in British Columbia had gross revenues of $9.9 billion in 2011, and paid salaries and benefits averaging $115,700 according to PricewaterhouseCoopers.

 BC is a Centre of Excellence for Mineral Exploration

  • Vancouver has the highest concentration of exploration and mining professionals in the world.
  • BC developed a mineral exploration code adapted for use in 35 countries around the world.
  • Sixty per cent of Canadian exploration companies are based in BC, and 69 per cent of TSX and TSX-V stock exchange listed companies based in BC are involved in the mineral exploration and mining sector.

BC is Proud of its Mineral Heritage, and has Tremendous Potential

The past

  • BC’s minerals have been used and traded for thousands of years. Obsidian from Mount Edziza in northwestern BC was first extracted over 10,000 years ago and was traded as far away as present-day Alberta and Alaska.
  • BC’s minerals and mining sector has generated approximately $700 billion in gross revenues over the last 150 years – from much less than one per cent of the provincial land base, or an area smaller than Greater Victoria (540 square kilometres).

The future

  • There are currently 26 major mining projects seeking permitting or environment approvals in BC. 
  • The area that will be served by the Northwest Transmission Line, the Golden Triangle in northwestern BC, hosts the potential for $15 billion in investment, almost 11,000 jobs, and $300 million in annual government revenues.

More information? View www.amebc.ca/resources-and-publications/resources-overview.aspx or contact AME BC at 604.689.5271 or info@amebc.ca.